Disney is closing Broadway's Frozen for good because of the coronavirus pandemic

Caissie Levy performs at the 72nd Annual Tony Awards
(Image credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

As the coronavirus pandemic sends Broadway into the unknown, one major show has closed for good.

Frozen, the show adapted from the hit animated film, has become the first Broadway musical to close permanently as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, as Disney announced Thursday it will not reopen, The New York Times reports.

Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, told staff the decision was made "primarily because we believe that three Disney productions will be one too many titles to run successfully in Broadway's new landscape," with the others being Aladdin and The Lion King.

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Broadway theaters have been closed since March amid restrictions on large gatherings in New York, and they will not reopen any earlier than September. The Washington Post described the closing of Frozen as "ground-shaking," while The Hollywood Reporter writes that after the announcement, "observers are bracing for a domino effect of other productions."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.